Qinghai Micro Guide Takes You on a Spontaneous Trip
I love the flowers in spring, the trees in summer, the dusk in autumn, the sunshine in winter, and you every day.
ββ "Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and You"
12 people, 19-seat vehicle. Qinghai Lake and Dunhuang Grand Loop: where poetry and distance meet.
Day 1: August 24: Fly to Xining from various places. The 19-seat vehicle will arrange airport transfer to the hotel. Stay at Vienna Hotel, South Street, Xining. Breakfast included.
Day 2: August 25: Xining β 80km Daban Mountain Viewpoint β 12km Menyuan Rape Flowers β 120km Qilian Mountain Grassland β 21km Aron Monastery β 27km Qilian Zhuor Mountain β Overnight in Qilian
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Daban Mountain Viewpoint (altitude). Suggested visit: about 30 minutes. Drive about 1 hour, 80km. Free admission. Then continue to Menyuan. The rape flowers have withered, so stay for about 30 minutes, not too long.
Lunch: In Menyuan county town. The driver can recommend a restaurant or choose according to team members' tastes.
2. From Menyuan, take the 19-seat vehicle to Qilian Grassland. Visit about 1.5 hours. Drive 2 hours. Free admission.
Overview: Qilian Grassland is one of China's six largest grasslands.
Worth doing: You can freely ride horses on the vast grassland (pay attention to safety).
3. Head to Aron Monastery. Visit about 1 hour. Drive 10 minutes. No admission fee.
Overview: The monastery was small when first built. In the 1940s, with the support of the Aron Thousand Household Nankai Caigang and Hundred Households Aduo, it expanded and became the largest Gelug monastery in Qilian County.
(1) The area has low temperatures and large day-night temperature differences, so bring warm clothing. (2) The monastery is not yet developed as a tourist attraction; keep quiet, do not take photos inside the halls, and do not disturb the monks.
4. Continue to Qilian Zhuor Mountain. 27km, 40 minutes drive. Ticket: 85 yuan (including sightseeing vehicle).
Overview: Known as "Little Switzerland of the East," it is adjacent to the Bahe River and faces the Tibetan sacred mountain Amidongsuo (Ox Heart Mountain) across the river.
5. After breakfast, visit the national AAAA Zhuor Mountain Scenic Area (about 1.5 hours). In Tibetan, it is called "Zongmu Mayouma," meaning beautiful rosy queen. Enjoy tranquility in the sunset glow. The scenic area faces the sacred mountain Amidongsuo across the river.
Dinner: In Qilian county town. The driver can recommend or choose according to team members' tastes.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Qilian Hotel.
Day 3: August 26: Qilian β Ebo Ridge β Biandukou β Mati Temple β Overnight in Zhangye
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Ebo Ridge. Suggested visit: about 30 minutes. Continue to Biandukou Scenic Area. Suggested visit: about 1 hour.
Lunch: The driver will recommend according to time. The scenery along the way is nice; you can ask the driver to stop anytime, but pay attention to safety.
2. From Biandukou, take the 19-seat vehicle to Mati Temple. Visit about 2 hours. Drive 2 hours. Ticket: 73 yuan.
Overview: A tourist area combining cave art, Qilian Mountain scenery, and Yugur ethnic customs.
Worth doing: Mati Temple gets its name from the legend that a heavenly horse left hoof prints when drinking water. The hoof prints are preserved in the Horse Hoof Hall of Puguang Temple, becoming the temple's treasure.
3. From Mati Temple, take the 19-seat vehicle to Zhangye city. Drive 1 hour.
Worth doing: In the evening, taste local specialties. Dinner: Ganzhou Lane. Recommended because of complete local specialties (juanzi chicken, fried cannon noodles).
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Zhangye Fulai Deng Hot Spring Holiday Hotel, 5-star, breakfast included (can soak in hot springs).
Day 4: August 27: Zhangye β Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon (China's most beautiful grand canyon) β Great Buddha Temple (in city) β Overnight in Zhangye
Take the 19-seat vehicle to Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. Suggested visit: about 4 hours. Drive 1 hour. Ticket reference price: 130 yuan. Overview: It is the closest such scenic area to a city in China, integrating natural wonders, canyon exploration, geological study, ethnic customs, and self-driving off-road. One of the most beautiful landscapes in Zhangye's landform grand view garden! Praised by "Chinese National Geography" and experts as "comparable to Zhangjiajie," "rivaling the Colorado Grand Canyon," and a new discovery on the Silk Road! Billions of years of wind and rain, nature's magical creation. With deep canyons and strange peaks, nature has carved colorful mountains into unparalleled, breathtaking landscapes.
Lunch: In Zhangye city. Recommend Hesheng Dapanji Restaurant; good environment.
2. [Afternoon is more relaxed] Take the 19-seat vehicle from the city restaurant to the Great Buddha Temple (in the city). Visit about 1 hour. Drive 3-4 minutes. Ticket reference price: 40 yuan.
Overview: An important historical site on the Silk Road, and the landmark of the historical and cultural city Jin Zhangye. Open attractions include the Great Buddha Temple built in the Western Xia, the Wanshou Wooden Pagoda from Sui, the Maitreya Thousand Buddha Pagoda from Ming, the Bell and Drum Tower, and the Qing Dynasty Shanxi Guild Hall. The temple grounds have ancient buildings, towering trees, and green grass, creating a beautiful environment.
Dinner: In Zhangye city.
*Zhangye snacks are famous, such as cuo yu zi, la tiao zi, sao miao, liang pi, chao pao, jiu mian pian, yu er fen, and many more. Additionally, tofu pudding, grey bean soup, lao zao, ranch yogurt are favorites of Zhangye locals.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Zhangye Fulai Deng Hot Spring Holiday Hotel, 5-star, breakfast included.
Day 5: August 28: Binggou Danxia β Colorful Danxia Sunset β Overnight in Colorful Town
1. Depart a bit later in the morning. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Binggou Danxia. Suggested visit: about 2 hours. Drive 1 hour. Ticket reference price: 40 yuan. Overview: Binggou Danxia is known for its "majestic and magical" features, praised as "the world's best spectacle"; it has been rated by "Chinese National Geography" and "National Geographic Magazine" as one of "China's most beautiful 7 Danxia landforms" and one of "the world's 10 most magical geographical wonders."
Lunch: Near the scenic area or in Linze County.
2. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Colorful Danxia. Visit about 4-5 hours. Drive 10 minutes. Ticket reference price: 74 yuan (can be booked in advance). Overview: This Danxia landform group is known for its large area, concentration, interlayered formations, steep cliffs, magnificent momentum, unique shapes, and brilliant colors, including red, yellow, white, green-blue. The colors undulate along the mountain slopes or slant from the peaks, like a colored cloth laid obliquely. Under sunlight, it looks like a layer of red gauze, glittering and extraordinarily bright, leaving people in awe. In December 2018, it was awarded "2018 China Brand Tourist Attractions TOP20."
Dinner: The driver can recommend.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Zhangye Happy Hotel (near the scenic area, clean and hygienic, conditions equivalent to 3-star). No breakfast.
Day 6: August 29: Zhangye β Jiayuguan Pass β Overhanging Great Wall β First Pier of the Great Wall β Overnight in Jiayuguan [From Zhangye Colorful Danxia to Jiayuguan 256km]
1. From near the Danxia scenic area, take the 19-seat vehicle to Jiayuguan. Suggested visit: about 2 hours. Drive 4 hours. Ticket reference price: 110 yuan. Overview: Historically known as the throat of Hexi, due to its dangerous terrain and majestic architecture, it is called the First Pass Under Heaven and the key to the border. Jiayuguan was a vital passage on the ancient Silk Road, and one of China's three great wonders of the Great Wall (Shanhaiguan in the east, Zhenbeitai in the middle, Jiayuguan in the west).
Worth doing: Main attractions include Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall, and First Pier of the Great Wall.
Lunch: In Jiayuguan city. Dinner: Recommend Jingtie Market; local specialties are complete.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Jiayuguan Gate Tower Taihe Shanzhuang (characteristic), breakfast included.
Day 7: August 30: Jiayuguan β Guazhou β 67km Yulin Grottoes β 300km Dunhuang β See You Again Dunhuang (highly recommended) β Shazhou Night Market. [Dunhuang to Jiayuguan 375km]
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Guazhou. Suggested visit: about 30 minutes.
Overview: Guazhou County belongs to Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor. It connects with the oil city Yumen to the east, Dunhuang to the west, borders Subei Mongol Autonomous County to the north and south, and meets Hami City in Xinjiang to the northwest. It has been a transportation hub and merchant town on the ancient Silk Road since ancient times.
2. From Guazhou, take the 19-seat vehicle to Yulin Grottoes. Visit about 1 hour. Drive 1 hour. Ticket reference price: 60 yuan.
Overview: The murals and style of Yulin Grottoes are closely related to the Mogao Caves, also known as the sister grottoes of Mogao, an important part of the Dunhuang cave art system.
Reminder: In case of rain, snow, sandstorms, or strong winds, the caves will be temporarily closed to ensure visitor safety and artifact protection. Please check the local weather forecast for Guazhou County or contact the Yulin Grottoes Cultural Relics Research Institute for confirmation.
Lunch: Recommended by the driver.
3. From Yulin Grottoes, take the 19-seat vehicle to Dunhuang. Drive 2 hours.
Overview: Dunhuang has historically been an important town on the Silk Road and a national historical and cultural city.
Worth doing: Dunhuang Night Market.
See You Again Dunhuang performance: Before visiting Mogao Caves, see "See You Again Dunhuang." It captures your steps in 3 minutes, brings tears in 13 minutes, and touches your soul in 30 minutes! That's the charm of "See You Again Dunhuang"!
Dinner: In Dunhuang city.
Recommend Daji LΗrΓ²u HuΓ‘ngmiΓ n (noodles with donkey meat). Easy to find on the first floor of the hotel, convenient parking. When in Dunhuang, you must try sauce donkey meat, local specialty sha cong (chive), and apricot peel water.
A famous local restaurant visited by many tourists. Their "donkey meat yellow noodles" has won the title of "Gansu Famous Snack." You can also pair with donkey offal, donkey skin, donkey meat pie, fried elm seeds, and other local specialties.
Specialties: Dunhuang yellow noodles, apricot peel water, donkey meat yellow noodles, sauce donkey meat, donkey skin jelly, braised donkey tendon, fried donkey intestines, donkey meat spring rolls, Xiliang fruit beer, tiger dish, mixed three shreds.
Address: Under Tianrun Hotel.
Also: Shunhu Yangmian Bing (Dunhuang First). Address: Opposite Jiugongge Old Hotpot, North Gate of Binhe Century Jiayuan, Xiheba Lane.
Jingyuan Ga Liu Meiwei Yanggao Rou (lamb meat). This lamb is exceptionally good. Braised and white-cut, very tender; the brisket is irresistible with almost no gamey smell. Friendly service. Lamb meat with pancake, sha cong and eggs, sour spicy lamb tripe are recommended. Cumin lamb chops are crispy and fragrant. Try local beer: Yellow River Beer.
Zhang Shun Zhang LΗrΓ²u HuΓ‘ngmiΓ n.
Recommended: Local specialties are complete.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Dunhuang Lidu International Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 8: August 31: Dunhuang day tour. Morning 23km to Mogao Caves. Afternoon 28km to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring.
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Mogao Caves (tickets already bought, session at 09:45). Suggested visit: about 4 hours. Drive 15 minutes.
Overview: The largest and most abundant Buddhist art site in the world, one of China's three major and four major grottoes. Known as the "museum on the wall."
Lunch: In Dunhuang city.
2. From the city restaurant, take the 19-seat vehicle to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Visit about 4 hours. Drive about 5 minutes. Ticket reference price: 110 yuan.
Overview: Crescent Spring is surrounded by Mingsha Mountain. Throughout history, it is famous for the wonderful landscape of "mountain and spring coexisting, sand and water coexisting," praised as "a unique scenery beyond the Great Wall." Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Spring, and the artistic landscape of Mogao Caves integrate into the "two uniques" connected in the south of Dunhuang, becoming a tourist destination desired by people in China and the world. Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area mainly includes Crescent Spring and Mingsha Mountain. Crescent Spring gets its name from its shape like a new moon. Mingsha Mountain is 5km south of Dunhuang city, famous for the sound made by sliding sand. The sand accumulates in five colors: red, yellow, green, white, black.
Worth doing: Sand sliding, camel riding (extra charge). ***After leaving Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area, you can participate in desert camping in the evening.
3. Take the 19-seat vehicle from Mingsha Mountain to the hotel, then have dinner. Dinner: In Dunhuang city.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Dunhuang Lidu International Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 9: September 1: Dunhuang β Dangjin Mountain β Eboliang Yadan (Eboliang due to road closure and large vehicles cannot enter, so we can only view from a distance; the vehicle will go as close as possible) β Overnight in Lenghu or camp at Eboliang, depending on cost-effectiveness.
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Aksai Small Town. Suggested visit: about 1 hour. Drive 1 hour.
Overview: Lunch: In Aksai.
2. From the oil town, take the 19-seat vehicle to Dangjin Mountain. Visit about 1.5 hours. Drive 2 hours. Worth doing: Take road photos. Remember to pay attention to safety; during peak season, traffic is heavy.
3. From Dangjin Mountain, take the 19-seat vehicle to Eboliang Yadan. Visit about 1 hour.
Dinner: In Lenghu town. The driver will recommend throughout.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Lenghu Chuanjia Business Hotel (no good hotel that day; Guoyou is slightly better but hygiene is poor).
Day 10: September 2: Lenghu β Mangya Aiken Spring β Mangya Emerald Lake β Overnight in Huatugou [Lenghu to Mangya Emerald Lake 340km. Lenghu to Huatugou 295km.]
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Mangya Aiken Spring. Suggested visit: about 2 hours.
Overview: Aiken Spring is best viewed with aerial photography.
Lunch: In Mangya.
2. From Mangya Aiken Spring, take the 19-seat vehicle to Mangya Emerald Lake.
Overview: The beauty of Mangya Emerald Lake is a magnificent mirror bestowed by heaven; the most magical album of the Western West.
3. From Mangya Emerald Lake, take the 19-seat vehicle to Huatugou for accommodation. Dinner: In Huatugou town.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Mangya Yudu Hotel.
Day 11: September 3: West Taitjinar Lake (two-color lake) β Water Yadan β East Taitjinar Lake β U-shaped 315 Highway β 300km to Overnight in Dachaidan [Dachaidan to Water Yadan 240km.]
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to West Taitjinar Lake (two-color lake). Suggested visit: about 1.5 hours. Overview: A road divides the salt lake into two halves with different colors: one green, one blue.
2. From West Taitjinar Lake, take the 19-seat vehicle to Water Yadan. Visit about 1.5 hours. Drive about 30 minutes. Ticket reference price: 120 yuan. Overview: It is a Yadan landform that "grows" in water.
Lunch: Near the Water Yadan scenic area.
3. From Water Yadan, take the 19-seat vehicle passing the U-shaped 315 Highway (sightseeing from vehicle) to Dachaidan. Visit about 1 hour.
Dinner: In Dachaidan. Recommend Dachaidan Yixinyuan Gourmet Restaurant; recommended: roast whole lamb.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Dachaidan Zhuoya Business Hotel (clean and hygienic), no breakfast.
Day 12: September 4: Dachaidan β 10km Emerald Lake β 168km Qarhan Salt Lake β 55km to Overnight in Golmud
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Emerald Lake. Suggested visit: about 1 hour. Drive 10 minutes. Free admission.
Overview: Emerald Lake, also known as Shuicui Lake. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was once part of the ocean. After long-term crustal movement, it lifted into the world's largest plateau, and seawater remained in some low-lying areas forming many salt lakes and ponds. Emerald Lake is one of them.
Worth doing: Take reflection photos at Emerald Lake.
2. From Emerald Lake, take the 19-seat vehicle to Qarhan Salt Lake. Visit about 2 hours. Drive 2.5 hours.
Overview: Qarhan Salt Lake is located in Golmud City, Qinghai Province. It is the largest salt lake in China and one of the world's most famous inland salt lakes. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes through Qarhan Salt Lake.
Lunch: Near the scenic area.
3. From Qarhan Salt Lake, take the 19-seat vehicle to Golmud. Drive 1 hour. Overnight in Golmud.
Dinner: In Golmud.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Golmud Yuanshang Grand Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 13: September 5: Golmud β Kunlun Divine Spring β Kunlun Mountain Pass β Kekexili Nature Reserve β Wuji Fenglong Palace β Sonam Dargye Protection Station β Overnight in Golmud [Golmud to Sonam Dargye Protection Station 211km.]
The altitude on this day is relatively high; avoid strenuous exercise. Most of the day is road scenery.
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Kunlun Mountain Pass. Suggested visit: about 1 hour. Drive 1 hour.
Dinner: In Golmud.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Golmud Yuanshang Grand Hotel, breakfast included.
Day 14: September 6: Golmud β 528km Caka Salt Lake β 70km to Overnight in Heimahe. Stay at farmhouse inn with bonfire party.
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Caka Salt Lake. Suggested visit: about 2 hours. Drive about 7 hours. Ticket reference price: 60 yuan. Tickets can be purchased at the scenic area. Specific preferential policies subject to scenic area regulations (can also book in advance). Overview: Caka Salt Lake is called "China's Bolivia," one of the 55 places to visit in a lifetime. Mainly depends on the weather that day.
Worth doing: Take reflection photos.
Lunch: In Caka town. Recommend Caka Bazhou Gourmet Restaurant.
2. From Caka town, take the 19-seat vehicle to Heimahe. Visit about 1 hour. Drive 1.5 hours.
Overview: You can watch the sunset; best spot for sunset photography.
Dinner: In Heimahe.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Heimahe Meihu Inn (with bonfire party), no breakfast.
Day 15: September 7: Watch sunrise at Heimahe β 80km Qinghai Lake 151 β 50km Daotang River β Longyang Gorge β Longyang Gorge Dam β Overnight in Longyang Gorge
1. If you want to see the sunrise at Heimahe, get up early (sunrise around 05:30).
2. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area. Suggested visit: about 2 hours. Drive 1.5 hours. Ticket reference price: 90 yuan [local herdsmen's path, about 10 yuan].
Overview: Highland sapphire.
Worth doing: Horseback riding by the lake, taking photos with yaks, boat rides, etc.
3. From Qinghai Lake, take the 19-seat vehicle to Daotang River. Visit about 30 minutes. Drive 1 hour. Ticket reference price: 40 yuan.
Overview: All rivers in the world flow east, except Daotang River which flows from east to west.
Lunch: By Qinghai Lake or at Daotang River.
4. From Heimahe, take the 19-seat vehicle to Longyang Gorge. Visit about 2.5 hours. Drive 3 hours. Overview: Longyang Gorge is located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gonghe County, Qinghai. It is 1684km from the source of the Yellow River and 3376km to the estuary. It is the first canyon after the Yellow River flows through the Qinghai prairie. "Longyang" is Tibetan meaning dangerous canyon. The mouth is only 30m wide, the canyon is 33km long, with hard granite walls nearly 200m high, an ideal site for a hydropower station. In 1976, the state decided to build the Longyang Gorge Hydropower Station, with the dam site chosen at this mouth. After the station was built, it became the first large-scale cascade hydropower station on the upper Yellow River, known as the "First Dam of the Ten Thousand Li Yellow River" and the "dragon head" station. Tourism developed due to the station, now a national AAAA scenic area. Longyang Gorge is also called "China's Colorado" Grand Canyon, renowned overseas.
Dinner: In Longyang Gorge.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Longyang Gorge Holiday Hotel (3-star, best locally).
Day 16: September 8: Basang Grassland β Guide Yellow River Bridge β Qianzi Lake β Yellow River Maiden β Overnight in Guide
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Basang Grassland. Suggested visit: about 1 hour.
2. Continue to Guide Yellow River Bridge. Visit about 1 hour. Overview: The completion of the Yellow River Bridge further changed the transportation across the Yellow River, allowing smooth travel for people on both sides and vehicles on the Ning-Gui Highway.
Lunch: In Guide.
3. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Qianzi Lake and Yellow River Maiden.
Dinner: In Guide.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Guide Yinlong Grand Hotel (4-star, breakfast included).
Day 17: September 9: Guide β 83km Kanbula National Geopark β [Xining to Guide 112km, about 1.5h drive] Overnight in Xining (Xining to Kanbula Forest Park 120km)
1. Take the 19-seat vehicle to Kanbula National Geopark. Suggested visit: about 3 hours. Drive 2 hours. Ticket reference price (not open this year, to be discussed).
Lunch: In Kanbula.
2. From Kanbula, take the 19-seat vehicle back to Xining. Drive 2 hours.
Worth doing: In the evening, you can go to Mojiacheng Street for dinner, close to the hotel.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
Accommodation: Xining Vienna South Street Hotel, 4-star, breakfast included.
Day 18: September 10: Kumbum Monastery day trip, end of itinerary [Xining to Kumbum Monastery 27km, about 30 minutes drive]. After the trip, transfer to the airport.
Take the 19-seat vehicle to Kumbum Monastery. Buy tickets at the scenic area, then take the sightseeing vehicle. Suggested visit: about 4-5 hours. Drive 40 minutes. Ticket reference price: 70 yuan (can be booked in advance).
Lunch: Near Kumbum Monastery (farewell dinner).
2. After lunch, take everyone to the airport. The pleasant trip ends today. Thank you for your support.
Transportation: 19-seat vehicle.
The trip ends successfully!
